10 lessons from the dotcom bust
March marks a decade since the beginning of the end for the dotcom bubble. On March 10, 2000, the technology-heavy NASDAQ sharemarket index peaked at 5048.62 - double its valuation of a year earlier
A growing business needs the right people, and the right systems, to keep it on track. Read tips on structuring your business, developing business strategies, and creating business systems to avoid problems. Find out how to recruit staff, develop and retain the best employees, and create a culture of constant business improvement in your workplace.
The opinions expressed in these articles are those of the author and not those of Optus. The articles on this website contain general information only and are not intended to be relied on as legal, financial or professional advice. Readers should seek their own advice based on their specific business [or personal] needs.
March marks a decade since the beginning of the end for the dotcom bubble. On March 10, 2000, the technology-heavy NASDAQ sharemarket index peaked at 5048.62 - double its valuation of a year earlier
The Australian economy might have sailed through the recession relatively unscathed, but don't think that customers haven't been changed by the GFC.
It's never been harder to keep up with the latest web trends - with the expansion onto mobile platforms, the growth of social media and the need for start ups to be aware of new SEO techniques.
Adrian Spencer, chief executive of grant consultancy GrantReady, is gearing up for a big year.
Boards of directors don't work for everyone. Some people need them, some have to have them due to external investment conditions and others should steer clear of them.
Constantly testing your business is not being paranoid. It's essential. Here are 10 strategies to really get to know how healthy your business is, beyond the balance sheet.
To jump start innovation, I've given my employees the opportunity to do a fun project in work time, but no one has submitted an idea. What's wrong?
The construction industry is often the hardest hit in an economic crisis -- and many will be all-too-familiar with the pain of having not enough work and too many idle hands.
Compliance with government rules and regulations is an important and complex issue for small business, especially for those in regional areas where easy access to technical advisory resources may sometimes be difficult.
Regional weddings are big business - solid management strategies are key to keeping brides from becoming Bridezillas!
When faced with a challenge, people who use systems to seek a solution can save your business. To most normal people, Rob Murray would seem like a bit of a contradiction.
At the heart of good management in regional business is vision. But it doesn't end there - it's about getting employees, suppliers and customers to buy into your brand, to buy into your vision. Lisa Lovett has set up shop showcasing Orange's regiona
Orange-based Printhie Wines is a family-owned business and no stranger to awards. Dubbed by James Halliday in the Australian Wine Competition as the "premier winery of the Orange region", it has continued to grow at a rapid rate, garnering plenty of
Most regional businesses would agree if you want to be heard, your message needs to be loud and clear.
The aftermath of the global financial crisis has left employees under-appreciated, frustrated and ready to move on. Recruitment companies and forecasters predict a mass exodus of workers over the next few months as declining unemployment gives them c
The state of the workforce is changing. Employees who were considering a career move in 2009, but stayed put due to job security fears, are now feeling confident enough to begin looking for new lines of work.
Feel like you're explaining things over and over to staff and nothing is sinking in? Or are they each completing the same task with different outcomes and you don't know why? I'll tell you why. You need to get systemised.
So many businesses start the New Year with grand plans for improvement, but far fewer actually implement those plans. Don't let the start of a New Year go by without taking action. Here are 10 items that should be on the top of every entrepreneur's t
No matter how small your business, well-planned systems can help you show you mean business. To prove the point, let's turn to a small business doing big things.
One of the greatest challenges for tradespeople as well as engineers, architects, surveyors and others is that they're usually good at their job. Customers love them, they're perfectionists and become hard to replace. It's fine in the start up stage
It's important to be organised so that you can keep your business under control. Here are some tips to ensure your business runs smoothly.
As the economy recovers, it's time to get out of the bunker and get on the front foot to win new customers...
One of the greatest problems of home-based businesses is often a major issue for all small businesses, and it's called isolation.
Some business owners ignore the importance of trade marks, and especially in the online world, its crucial that you know the rules.
It's important to be organised so that you can keep your business under control. Below are some tips to ensure your business runs smoothly.
afety in the workplace is a big issue, and one that needs to be addressed urgently.
Business ideas sometimes come completely from left field. Making that idea or vision become a reality is often the hardest part
Business operators run high on adrenalin. Being self-sufficient, self-fulfilling and self-directed can take its toll and it's easy to run low on the things that keep the 'self' going!
I hear it all the time from people who want to grow their business. "I know I need to do some work ON my business, but I just don't have the time - how can I find the time?"
Do you find it hard to keep staff? Do you have staff you'd rather not keep? Motivating staff can help keep the ones you want, and possibly even help you get more out of the non-performers.
Your recruitment strategy and ongoing employee development is integral to attracting and retaining the right people for your business.
Successful business owners understand the importance of being proactive about improving their weaknesses.
Business owners are being warned to lock up their businesses properly with a crime wave targeting smaller operators. And the favourite targets of thieves are computers.
In the age of increasing competition and a labour market as tight as the proverbial drum, the highly enlightened business leader has to create a special workplace for employee retention and attraction purposes.
How do you really feel about employing older people? Many people in business are reluctant to employ anyone over the age of 45 and older workers are often the first to go when a company cuts back.
Ever heard of the saying 'waste not, want not'? With the environment a concern for us all, it needs to be acknowledged that big business does make an effort to go 'green'.
Australian exports are major contributors to the economy and could benefit your business. One of Australia's major exports is tourism.
A prominent Sydney hairdresser knows blondes have more fun, but protecting intellectual property is no laughing matter.
Protecting Intellectual Property is crucial to any growing business, whether it be to protect your work or your brand name.
When you put people together in a work place you can be pretty sure that relationships will develop. This might be great for the couples, but not always good for your business.
Introducing and developing systems can assist in organising your business. Here are some tips to create great systems that will help your business grow
There are ways you can encourage your employees to achieve the best they can - for their own growth and for that of your business.
Imagine finding plumbers who are so professional that they have created their own systems to minimise mistakes and maximise customer satisfaction.
Sometimes it feels like there aren't enough hours in the day. Here are some tips to help organise your time effectively.
Introducing and developing systems can help organize your business, saving you time and money and helping it to grow.
You've written an ad for a new position in your business and had a number of respondents. Now you're at the interviewing stage and it's time to pick the person that will fit in best.
Hiring a new person for your business can be a daunting experience. Here are some tips and processes to consider before you take that step and get people in for their interview.
Many business owners are under a lot of pressure which can lead to high levels of stress.
Asking your current customers and clients to recommend your business to others is one of the best ways to get more business. Here is a Q&A about this important technique.
Working ON your business is important to allow it to grow, but many business owners say they just don't have the time.
Most business owners need more time in their day. Here are a few timesaving techniques that will let you concentrate on growing your business.
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SIGN UPMarch marks a decade since the beginning of the end for the dotcom bubble. On March 10, 2000, the technology-heavy NASDAQ sharemarket index peaked at 5048.62 - double its valuation of a year earlier
Leadership is one of the most important ingredients when it comes to growing a business. It's also crucial to take lessons from other great entrepreneurs on board.
The truly greats of mankind's history never became great by accident or by doing it the easy way: "Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh